Cricket World Cup 2015: Definitive Guide to the Umpires
With the Cricket World Cup just around the corner, there are 20 individuals who will be as keen as any player to shine on the biggest stage of all—the umpires.
The International Cricket Council sets high standards for its match officials, and with the eyes of the world upon them, these men will be determined to do the best possible job.
Eight come from the ICC’s international panel of umpires and 12 come from the elite panel, with a number of stalwarts joined by some relative newcomers to the international game.
Let’s take a look at the men who will be in the middle, making the decisions and hopefully not becoming too noticeable amid this carnival of cricket.
Aleem Dar (Elite Panel)
1 of 20
One of the most experienced members of this umpiring roster, Aleem Dar has umpired in 94 Tests and 165 one-day internationals, including the last two World Cup finals.
His career seems to have recovered from the 2007 final debacle, and he remains one of the best in the business.
Billy Bowden (Elite Panel)
2 of 20
Notable for his extravagant signalling and antics, New Zealand’s Billy Bowden is a highly respected and consistent umpire on the world stage.
With 192 ODIs under his belt, he will likely be umpiring in the final, unless his native Black Caps reach that game or in the very unlikely event he has a bad tournament.
Bruce Oxenford (Elite Panel)
3 of 20
Bruce Oxenford has only been umpiring since 2008, but since his debut, he has quietly transformed himself into one of the best.
The Australian has also stood in 21 Tests, as well as 63 ODIs, and has been very impressive.
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Ian Gould (Elite Panel)
4 of 20
Former England wicketkeeper Ian Gould played in the 1983 World Cup, and since retiring he has gained a reputation as one of the most genial umpires on the circuit.
He has been a fixture on the elite panel since 2009, with teams responding well to his good nature on the field.
Kumar Dharmasena (Elite Panel)
5 of 20
Former Sri Lanka spinner Kumar Dharmasena has had quite a rise since retiring from playing in 2004 and umpiring his first international game in 2009.
He may have been criticised for some decisions in the past, but clearly he has a great deal of potential in the umpiring sphere.
Marais Erasmus (Elite Panel)
6 of 20
South African Marais Erasmus had a decent career in domestic cricket, and then upon retiring, he has become a consistent and well-liked umpire.
He has stood in 29 Tests and 56 ODIs, although he was at the centre of the controversy surrounding the farcical finish of the 2013 Test between England and Australia at Old Trafford.
Nigel Llong (Elite Panel)
7 of 20
It has been quite a rise for Englishman Nigel Llong, who officiated in the first-ever Twenty20 International in 2005 and a decade later is on the ICC Elite Panel.
With 86 ODIs under his belt, he has plenty of experience to call on, and has been officially among the world’s best since 2012.
Paul Reiffel (Elite Panel)
8 of 20
Former Australia seamer Paul Reiffel won the World Cup with his country in 1999, and after playing 35 Tests and 92 ODIs, he has made himself into an umpire with real promise.
He may not have his colleagues' experience—15 Tests and 37 ODIs—but he is part of a new generation of officials.
Richard Illingworth (Elite Panel)
9 of 20
Richard Illingworth travelled to the 1992 World Cup as part of the England squad and was part of the side to lose in the final to Pakistan.
He has been an international umpire since 2010, having come through the ranks in his native country.
Richard Kettleborough (Elite Panel)
10 of 20
Another Englishman, Richard Kettleborough, comes into this tournament with the prospect of standing in his second World Cup, having previously turned out in the 2011 edition.
He has plenty of international pedigree already and was named the ICC’s Umpire of the Year in 2013.
Rod Tucker (Elite Panel)
11 of 20
Australian Rod Tucker has had a varied life in cricket so far, having played for New South Wales, Tasmania and Canberra before captaining and coaching the latter side.
He has been an umpire on the international circuit since 2009 and recently brought up his half-century of appearances in ODIs in New Zealand.
Steve Davis (Elite Panel)
12 of 20
Another enormously experienced Australian umpire is Steve Davis, who has stood in 55 Tests and 130 ODIs since his debut at the international level way back in 1992.
This will be his third World Cup, having previously stood in the 2007 and 2011 tournaments.
Johan Cloete (International Panel)
13 of 20
Leading off the international panel is Johan Cloete, a South African who has umpired 47 ODIs and 13 Twenty20 Internationals.
He made the news in 2011 when the car he was travelling in after a game in Chittagong was hit by a stone.
Simon Fry (International Panel)
14 of 20
Australian Simon Fry has umpired in 17 ODIs and eight Twenty20 Internationals, having made his debut in the white coat in 2011.
He was part of an umpires exchange programme in 2012, when he travelled to India and officiated in some Ranji Trophy games.
Chris Gaffaney (International Panel)
15 of 20
After a long career in domestic cricket in his native New Zealand, Chris Gaffaney is making his first steps in his international umpiring career.
So far, the Kiwi has stood in two Tests, 38 ODIs and 15 T20Is.
Michael Gough (International Panel)
16 of 20
Michael Gough had been tipped for a long career, but he retired unexpectedly as a player in 2003 citing a lack of enjoyment for the game.
He has been involved in umpiring since 2006 and has so far stood in 11 ODIs and four T20Is.
Ranmore Martinesz (International Panel)
17 of 20
A back injury forced Sri Lankan Ranmore Martinesz to take up umpiring, and so far he has looked assured in the pressure-cooker atmosphere.
With six Tests and 30 ODIs under his belt, he is set to make the step up into his first World Cup.
Ruchira Palliyaguru (International Panel)
18 of 20
Another Sri Lankan on the international panel is Ruchira Palliyaguru, who has so far stood in 23 ODIs and 13 T20Is.
He has also been a commentator in his native Sri Lanka, and that experience coupled with a long career as a player means he has a varied time in the game already.
Sundaram Ravi (International Panel)
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Indian Sundaram Ravi has already had a decent amount of experience of umpiring international cricket, having stood in four Tests and 21 ODIs.
He has been on the international panel for almost two years.
Joel Wilson (International Panel)
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West Indian Joel Wilson has already seen plenty of action in the middle since making his umpiring debut in 2011, having stood in 18 ODIs and 16 T20Is.
He has largely umpired games involved his home country on his home turf, but he was recently in the United Arab Emirates for New Zealand’s series against Pakistan.
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